James Hewat McKenzie - Spirit intercourse, its theory and practice

COPYRIGHT 1917 BY MITCHELL KENNERLEY

PRINTED IN AMERICA

IF THERE IS ANYTHING IMPORTANT OR HELPFUL IN THIS BOOK, MUCH OF IT IS DUE TO THE STIMULATING INFLUENCES THAT HAVE POURED FROM SPIRITUAL SOURCES THROUGH MY WIFE, TO WHOM. I DEDICATE IT WITH GRATEFUL AFFECTION

Preface 1

CHAPTER I

Facts Worth Knowing 12

Treatment of mediums by the Christian Church, p. 19.

Rise of modern spiritualism, p. 21. Limited education of mediums, p. 28. Spiritualistic phenomena a science, p. 29. Instruments used by psychic scientists, p. 32.

CHAPTER II

Science of the Soul

Facts proved, p. 36. Body, soul and spirit, p. 37. Premature burial, p. 43. Soul travelling in sleep, p. 44. Dreams, p. 45. Hypnotic experiments, p. 47.Transition through death, p. 48.

CHAPTER III

Materialization 60

Psycho-plastic full-form materialization, ^ p. 63. Shell materialization, p. 75. Fluidic materialization, p. 78. Astralization, p. 80. Etheric skin envelope, p. 81. Mechanical ghosts, p. 83. Psycho-plastic transfiguration, p. 84. Materialization of animals, p. 87.

CHAPTER IV

Mediumship: Objective Phenomena 89

Table tilting, p. 93. Spirit rapping, p. 99. Automatic writing, p. 100. Psychic 'slate writing, p. 101. Spirit painting, p. 101. Spirit photography, p. 102. Unlocking of doors, p. 107. Levitation, p. 107. Apports, p. 108. Trumpet mediumship, p. 110. Dematerialization, p. 111. Houdinis platform demonstration, p. 114. Mrs. Thompsons demonstration, p. 116. Miss Fays demonstration, p. 118. Japanese demonstration, p. 119.

CHAPTER V

Mediumship: Subjective Phenomena 122

Clairvoyance, p. 122. Psychometry, p. 127. Telepathy and soul projection, p. 130. Mrs. Zancigs demonstration, p. 131. Spirit healing, p. 136.

CHAPTER VI

First Steps to Spirit Intercourse 139

Advice to beginners, p. 139. Dangers, p. 146. Difficulties, p. 148. Attitude of materialist and idealist, p. 150. Magazines recommended, p. 151. London Spiritualist Alliance, p. 152. Instruments for beginners, p. 153. Treatment of mediums, p. 153. What to expect, p. 155. Planchette, p. 160. Table tilting, p. 164. Automatic writing, p. 167. Public seances, p. 168. Developing circles, p. 169. Natural law at work, p. 170. Importance of psychic phenomena, p. 172. Communication and communion, p. 173.

CHAPTER VII

The Culture of the Soul 175

Family worship, p. 175. The sanctum, p. 181. Spirit communion, p. 183. Aspiration, p. 187. Diet, p. 188. Exercise, 189. Self-control, p. 189. Soul culture a science, p. 191. Concentration, p. 191. Meditation, p. 191.

CHAPTER VIII

Laws Operating in Spirit Spheres 196

Introduction, p. 196. The new superphysical continents, p. 197, 198. Descriptive table of spirit spheres, p. 202. Food, p. 205. Clothing, p. 205. Occupations, p. 209. Buildings, p. 211. Marriage, p. 214. Language, p. 215. Animals, p. 216. Flowers, p. 218. Rejuvenation, p. 220. Travelling, p. 221. Time and space, p. 222. Religions, p. 224. Transition from sphere to sphere, p. 225. Reincarnation, p. 227.

CHAPTER IX

Life after Death 228

Geography of spirit spheres, p. 228. Reality of superphysical continents, p. 229. Lowest astral world, or Hades, p. 230. Animal spheres, p. 230. Planetary spheres, p. 230. Distance from earth, p. 230. Atmospheres, p. 232. Origin of spirit spheres, p. 233. Permanency of superphysical continents, p. 234. Future exploration, p. 235. Earthquakes, p. 236. Lowest astral world, p. 238. Degree of light, p. 239. Dantes conception, p. 239. Natures reformatories, p. 240. Approximate population, p. 242. Methods of advancement, p. 247. Sensualists reformatory, p. 247. Drunkards pit, p. 249. A hell of the Epicureans, p. 254. Middle astral world, p. 255. Habitations, p. 256. The retired policeman, p. 259. Vanity fair, p. 262. The house of the harpy, p. 266. Upper astral plane, p. 268. Second sphere, p. 270. Headquarters of various religions, p. 271. The religious maniac, p. 272. Third sphere, the Summer Land, p. 275. Dwellings, p. 275. Light, p. 276. Public buildings, p. 278. Colleges, p. 279. Childrens education, p. 280. Pet animals, p. 282. Music, p. 282. Knowledge of earth, p. 282. Fourth sphere, or Sphere of Comparison, p. 283. Fifth sphere, or Intellectual Plane, p. 284. Sixth sphere, or Love Plane, p. 285. Seventh sphere, the Christ Plane, p. 286.

Conclusion

THE author desires to bring before his readers some facts dealing with the latest evidence for the continuity of life beyond death, verified by himself during many years of psychical research. To some readers much of the matter will be startlingly new, and the facts difficult to believe. To others, who will accept the phenomena without question, because of previous experience, the theories adduced therefrom may not be wholly acceptable. The facts so far transcend ordinary experience that some cannot do otherwise than reject them, until fuller knowledge prevails upon the whole subject. When first brought into contact with students of this science the writer himself treated the statements made by them as unworthy of belief, and he quite understands the natural scepticism of the man or woman who is at present entirely ignorant of the subject. The fact of the startling phenomena, however, both subjective and objective, does not rest upon mere statement, but upon natural law, and this may be verified by anyone who feels disposed to prove the statements by experiment, observation, and study. Many of the more important facts recorded have been proved by sustained experiment, by the most eminent men of physical science throughout the world, whose evidence and testimony have been carefully tabulated in their published works. A list of books containing such evidence will be found on pages 294 and 295.

It is generally conceded that knowledge regarding the continuity of life is of supreme importance to the human race, and yet at the same time it must be confessed that there is no subject less known or understood by the general public. For centuries the facts available were reserved for the few, and the garbled accounts which reached the general public were mixed with superstitious beliefs, persistently attacked by ignorant and prejudiced critics, exploited by charlatans, and systematically cold-shouldered by well-meaning but fearful religious professors of all shades of opinion. The time is more than ripe for the subject to be boldly examined by every truth lover, openly recognized as a supremely valuable branch of natural science, and rescued from the hands of obscurantists and wonder-mongers.

During the past quarter of a century many eminent men have risked their reputation, and spent much time and money with this object in viewmen whose names stand in the foremost rank of science, art, and commerce throughout the world, and to name even a few of the best known would fill several pages of this book. Fortunately, psychic facts do not depend upon eminent names for their support, as much of the most valuable information has been received and preserved by humble investigators. The facts may be verified by any honest inquirer to-day, but in spite of the comparative ease with which this may be done, the majority of the Western race, even those who claim to have received a good education, are entirely ignorant of the possibilities of spirit intercourse, and believe the subject only receives the attention of neurotic, superstitious, or mentally unhinged individuals. This idea is unfortunately encouraged by many representatives of the Christian Church, who, for the sake of their own belief, should be the last to oppose these facts, as they, beyond all others, profess to believe the testimony of ancient documents in favor of spirit intercourse. This attitude of mind, which can accept unverifiable ancient testimony, and reject reliable modern evidence, is unfortunate, and renews again the ancient quarrel between the exponents of religion and of science, who ought to be the closest of allies, when objective facts, at least, are under discussion. The position of the Church on this subject is not only unreasonable and open to the ridicule of that section of the community calling itself rationalist, but it also closes the door to those proofs of a future life which the Christian Church so sadly needs, if it hopes to meet the ever-rising stream of questions from intelligent doubters within its own borders.